Battle of Rezang La

Article Title: Battle of Rezang La

18-11-2022

History & Art and Culture Prelims Plus

Why is in news? Army observes 60th anniversary of battle of Rezang La in Ladakh

The Battle of Rezang La in 1962 in eastern Ladakh, was India's one of the remarkable military expeditions. The Rezang La battle was illustrious and ever-inspiring.

Sixty years ago on the morning of November 18th, fierce fight broke when over Five thousand Chinese with heavy artillery support have attacked Charlie Company, protecting the airfield of Chushul.

120 brave soldiers of Charlie Company of 13 Kumaon Regiment led by commanding officer Major Shaitan Singh had delivered the heaviest blow to the Chinese People's Liberation Army, by killing over thousand Chinese soldiers in the fight.

As many as 114 soldiers of C company died fighting. Five wounded were taken as prisoners, however they all escaped and one was sent back to tell the story of the battle to the rest of the world.

Three months later, Charlie company soldier's bodies were recovered in fighting stance. Some were found away from trenches, with bullet and bayonet wounds in hand-to-hand combat

The bravery of Indian soldiers in this battle forced China to declared ceasefire

Rezang La:

It is also called Rechin La.

It is a mountain pass on the Line of Actual Control between Indian-administered Ladakh and the Chinese-administered Spanggur Lake basin that is also claimed by India.

The pass is located on the eastern watershed ridge of the Chushul Valley that China claims as its boundary.

It is at the head of the Rezang Lungpa valley, which houses a stream draining into the Spanggur Lake.